Agenda item

Noted the verbal updates provided from the following individuals and organisations who had requested to speak at the meeting:

·                Councillor Daly (local ward councillor) - highlighting local views in relation any potential development of the Park cottages at 776-778 Harrow Road and impact on Barham Park.

·                Paul Lorber – representing the Friends of Barham Park Library and in support of the letting of Unit 7 within the Barham Park Building.

·                Danny Maher - representing Ashford Place highlighting support for the potential letting of Unit 7 within the Barham Park Building for use as a dementia centre and hub.

·                Shivakumar Gurung – representing Tamu Samaj UK as one of the tenant organisations within the Barham Park Building.

Prior to consideration of the main agenda Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Chair) advised the Trust Committee that he had accepted a number of requests to speak at the meeting from a range of stakeholders in relation to matters due to be considered on the agenda.

Each representative was then invited to address the meeting with the following comments highlighted.

Councillor Daly (local ward councillor) was the first to address the Trust Committee highlighting local views in relation to potential development of the cottages at 776-778 Harrow Road and impact on Barham Park.  Members were reminded of the affection and affinity within which the park was held by the local community and their commitment towards ensuring its character was maintained and not lost or adversely impacted by any new local development.  Whilst pointing out that local residents were not opposed to redevelopment, Councillor Daly felt it important to recognise this was on the basis that any development did not have an overbearing impact both in terms of design and biodiversity of the park or restricted public access to the site.

Councillor Muhammad Butt thanked Councillor Daly for highlighting views expressed by the local community and then invited Paul Lorber, representing the Friends of Barham Park Library (FoBL) (as an online participant) to address the Trust Committee.

Paul Lorber advised he was speaking in support of the lease of Unit 7 in the Barham Park building to the Friends of Braham Park Library in order to provide a Dementia Hub working in partnership with The Memory Lounge, with the process having been ongoing over the previous two years.  This had involved FoBL having secured Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding to support the associated internal refurbishment works.  As a result the organisation was now keen to finalise the necessary lease approval so that the next stage, in terms of any planning approvals required, could begin on what he pointed out was a much needed community development.  The Dementia Hub would be operated in partnership with the Memory Lounge and provide community support, outreach work and private consultations for individuals suffering with Dementia and their families.  In addressing the Trust Committee Paul Lorber advised that FoBL, working collaboratively with the Council and Trust, were keen to secure a successful conclusion to the process so that the community could benefit as soon as possible from the scheme.

Councillor Butt thanked Paul Lorber for his comments and then invited Mr Danny Maher to speak representing Ashford Place & Community Action on Dementia (CAD).

Danny Maher representing Ashford Place & Community Action on Dementia also took the opportunity to highlight his support for the letting of Unit 7 within the Barham Park Building for use as a dementia centre and hub providing crucial support to those in need within the community.  He advised members that in addition to the NCIL funding which had been secured, the scheme had also been awarded funding from the Big Lottery and were confident of additional funding streams in the future to continue to support the project.  As a result, he was also keen to encourage members to make a decision as soon as possible on the lease arrangements in order to support the wider work being undertaken in relation to the provision of Dementia support across Brent.

Councillor Butt thanked Danny Maher for his comments and the positive work being undertaken by his organisation in order to ensure Brent was a dementia friendly borough.

As a final contribution, Councillor Butt then invited Mr Shivakumar Gurung representing Tamu Samaj UK (Nepalese Community Centre) to speak as one of the Trust’s tenant organisations.

Shivakumar Gurung highlighted the benefits arising from Tamu Samaj UKs tenancy within the Barham Park building, which had enabled them to continue holding various community events as well as providing continued cultural, learning, and social opportunities for the Nepalese community in Brent.  Whilst grateful for use of the building the opportunity was also taken to highlight the need for a specific community and religious centre within the borough for the wider Nepalese community in Brent

Councillor Butt thanked Shivakumar Gurung for his comments and in recognising the range of community based organisations currently supported within the Barham Park building, felt it important to highlight how this reflected the overall approach across the borough in making Brent welcoming to all communities.

In noting the comments and issues raised, Councillor Butt thanked everyone who had spoken for their participation.